Obituary for Robert Charles Marcel Vannevel
ROBERT VANNEVEL
October 28, 1933 - July 6, 2021
Bob passed away peacefully, at home, with his loving wife Frances of 64 years by his side.
He was predeceased by his parents Gerry (1989) and Yvonne (2010); sister Celine Dubois (2018); brother-in-law Jacques Dubois (1992); niece Arlene Kulba (1997); nephew-in-law Kevin Huck (2010); in-laws, Helmut Soltau, Bob and Claudia Warman.
He is survived by his wife Fran; children Marcel, Barbara Kelly (Dave Nyiro), Eileen Goertz (Jim), Janice; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grand-children.
Remembering him also are his sister Aline Koning (Ted); sisters-in-law, Marianne Soltau, Judith McLeod (Doug); brothers-in-law, Joseph Warman (Georgette), Gary Warman and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Bob was born in St. Boniface in 1933. He and Fran married in 1957, settling down in East Kildonan where they raised their family, making many wonderful memories with friends who were as close to them as relatives, and relatives that were also their friends.
He started his career with MTS as a Travelling Auditor in 1957, eventually becoming Director of Finance and Comptroller, retiring in 1990.
After retiring, he spent his time enjoying many rounds of golf at Pine Ridge with his best friend Sam Fujii. Bob also loved to bowl (10 pin) and curl with the Buffalo Recreation Club and other organizations. When he wasn’t doing those three things you could find him with his nose in a book.
Bob had a love of entertaining and had an unending supply of jokes, yet when no guests were around he was a man of few words.
He loved his family and though he would never say it, he showed it by force feeding you candy and chocolates and poking fun at your personal quirks.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no funeral service due to Covid restrictions.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the charity closest to your heart.
Family invite you to share memories of Bob by signing the online condolence book at ejcoutu.ca
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086Our memories of Dad.
Our Memories of Dad.
Dad was a man of few words, the ones we heard most were…
“Get to the bloody point”.
“Think about what you’re saying”
“Don’t over think it”,
“Enough”
“ONE!…TWO!………”, he never got to three.
These phrases were always said in a gruff irritated tone. Although we actually never saw him mad. None of us were scared of him.
We never received a lecture over our screw-ups. He just said, “don’t do it again.”
He often didn’t say any words when we were out of line, just bopped us on the head with whatever he was reading,(we were just thankful he never read War & Peace (Ha ha).
…he took curiosity out of taboo’s in our teens….
Alcohol: He always let us have an actual drink at their parties no matter our age. (No mock-tails in this house).
The naked body: once even went so far as to buy a play girl magazine when we were teen girls because he caught us looking and giggling at it on the news stand.
Adult entertainment: His few raunchy records like Oscar Brand or Xavier Hollander were played in our presence as easily as contemporary, big band or opera music.
Jokes were never cleaned up for our young ears, neither were swear words or dirty limericks. Dad enjoyed jokes in all their forms. In today’s world, his humour would be considered politically incorrect and insensitive. In his day it was acceptable. He respected all people and would not tolerate any of his kids being judgemental of others either.
The grandkids all knew where he kept his stash of candy. It was expected that you raid that drawer at least once a visit.
Dad gave us all an appreciation of books both fact and fiction and of sports both played and watched. He never forced us to do any of these, he just led by example and let us be ourselves.
Although his Dad was a carpenter, our Dad couldn’t nail two boards together if you held the nail and handed him the hammer. Because he was so inept at fixing anything, he instilled in his children a need to learn to do as much as possible for themselves.
Thanks Dad, that helped us more than anything.
As each generation was born, Dad had more free time to spend. He really enjoyed interacting with them, especially the toddlers, instilling in them a love of books and humour.
Now we see a bit of our dad in all of us.
October 28, 1933 - July 6, 2021
Bob passed away peacefully, at home, with his loving wife Frances of 64 years by his side.
He was predeceased by his parents Gerry (1989) and Yvonne (2010); sister Celine Dubois (2018); brother-in-law Jacques Dubois (1992); niece Arlene Kulba (1997); nephew-in-law Kevin Huck (2010); in-laws, Helmut Soltau, Bob and Claudia Warman.
He is survived by his wife Fran; children Marcel, Barbara Kelly (Dave Nyiro), Eileen Goertz (Jim), Janice; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grand-children.
Remembering him also are his sister Aline Koning (Ted); sisters-in-law, Marianne Soltau, Judith McLeod (Doug); brothers-in-law, Joseph Warman (Georgette), Gary Warman and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Bob was born in St. Boniface in 1933. He and Fran married in 1957, settling down in East Kildonan where they raised their family, making many wonderful memories with friends who were as close to them as relatives, and relatives that were also their friends.
He started his career with MTS as a Travelling Auditor in 1957, eventually becoming Director of Finance and Comptroller, retiring in 1990.
After retiring, he spent his time enjoying many rounds of golf at Pine Ridge with his best friend Sam Fujii. Bob also loved to bowl (10 pin) and curl with the Buffalo Recreation Club and other organizations. When he wasn’t doing those three things you could find him with his nose in a book.
Bob had a love of entertaining and had an unending supply of jokes, yet when no guests were around he was a man of few words.
He loved his family and though he would never say it, he showed it by force feeding you candy and chocolates and poking fun at your personal quirks.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no funeral service due to Covid restrictions.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the charity closest to your heart.
Family invite you to share memories of Bob by signing the online condolence book at ejcoutu.ca
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086Our memories of Dad.
Our Memories of Dad.
Dad was a man of few words, the ones we heard most were…
“Get to the bloody point”.
“Think about what you’re saying”
“Don’t over think it”,
“Enough”
“ONE!…TWO!………”, he never got to three.
These phrases were always said in a gruff irritated tone. Although we actually never saw him mad. None of us were scared of him.
We never received a lecture over our screw-ups. He just said, “don’t do it again.”
He often didn’t say any words when we were out of line, just bopped us on the head with whatever he was reading,(we were just thankful he never read War & Peace (Ha ha).
…he took curiosity out of taboo’s in our teens….
Alcohol: He always let us have an actual drink at their parties no matter our age. (No mock-tails in this house).
The naked body: once even went so far as to buy a play girl magazine when we were teen girls because he caught us looking and giggling at it on the news stand.
Adult entertainment: His few raunchy records like Oscar Brand or Xavier Hollander were played in our presence as easily as contemporary, big band or opera music.
Jokes were never cleaned up for our young ears, neither were swear words or dirty limericks. Dad enjoyed jokes in all their forms. In today’s world, his humour would be considered politically incorrect and insensitive. In his day it was acceptable. He respected all people and would not tolerate any of his kids being judgemental of others either.
The grandkids all knew where he kept his stash of candy. It was expected that you raid that drawer at least once a visit.
Dad gave us all an appreciation of books both fact and fiction and of sports both played and watched. He never forced us to do any of these, he just led by example and let us be ourselves.
Although his Dad was a carpenter, our Dad couldn’t nail two boards together if you held the nail and handed him the hammer. Because he was so inept at fixing anything, he instilled in his children a need to learn to do as much as possible for themselves.
Thanks Dad, that helped us more than anything.
As each generation was born, Dad had more free time to spend. He really enjoyed interacting with them, especially the toddlers, instilling in them a love of books and humour.
Now we see a bit of our dad in all of us.